Bristol City 5-3 Argyle Youth

ARGYLE’S youth team produced a fine attacking display in Saturday’s pre-season friendly at Bristol City but were punished for sloppy defensive errors at the other end of the pitch.

Played on a 3G surface at the University of West of England, Argyle started brightly and went close through Jeremiah Medine but then fell behind to a superb long-range strike on 19 minutes.

City doubled their lead when Argyle ‘keeper Harry Townsend allowed a tame shot to slip from his grasp, providing the home forward with a simple tap-in. It got worse when a loose pass from Ali Mansaray was intercepted and the Pilgrims were 3-0 down with just 31 minutes played.

Argyle responded with a header from Isaac Burdon steered narrowly wide and then Medine did get a goal back with a fine finish, neatly rounding the home goalkeeper to score.

Townsend maintained the Green momentum with a super save and it was back to 3-2 when a fabulous team move ended with Rubin Wilson being hauled down in the box. Wilson converted the penalty to end a breathless first half.

Unfortunately, the worst possible start to the second period handed the initiative back to City, as Charlie Miller was penalised for tugging in the box and the hosts made it 4-2 on 46 minutes.

Moments later, a weak backpass from Alfie Wotton presented City with a gift to make it 5-2. Wilson reduced the arrears with a clever finish on 54 minutes but there was no more scoring in an entertaining match.

Argyle: Harry Townsend (Oliver Sidey 80); Ollie Tomlinson, Ali Mansaray (Charlie Elkington 80), Alfie Wotton (Eric Lejeunesse 70), Charlie Miller (Scott Crocker 55), Isaac Burdon, Jarvis Cleal, Jude Boyd (Mackenzie Toms 80), Rubin Wilson, Jeremiah Medine, Reuben Collum (Angel Wariuh 55).